Adjustable support and protective dis-



June 19, 1956 .1. J. MORSE 2,751,070

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT AND PROTECTIVE DISPLAY CONTAINER FOR ARTICLES Filed June 1'7, 1955 INVENTOR JOHN J MORSE BY WW //%4W ATTORNEY United States Patent ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT AND PROTECTIVE DIS- PLAY CONTAINER FOR ARTICLES John J. Morse, Richmond, Va.

Application June 17, 1955, Serial No. 516,062

9 Claims. (Cl. 206-4514) This invention relates to ornamentation and more particularly to a container for adjustably supporting articles, such as watches, medals, other articles of jewelry or heirlooms Which it is desired to display, but, which, at the same time, must be protected from dust or other injurious substances and also from handling by spectators.

Heretofore, articles of the above nature, have either been displayed in the open or in relatively large cumbersome glass enclosed cases which are relatively expensive and require considerable room and furthermore, such cases did not serve to display articles, such as watches, medals and the like, to advantage, in that, other articles surrounding the same tended to detract from the appearance thereof.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable support and protective display container for individual articles in which the articles are suspended in such container and in which means is provided for adjusting the supporting means to center or position the article within the container in the most advantageous position for display thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an adjustable support and protective display container for. individual articles which may be conveniently and economically manufactured from readily available materials, such as, certain types of wood or suitable plastics and which may, if desired, be constructed of precious metals, and in which the article is clearly visible to spectators but is protected from injurious substances and from handling by such spectators.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an adjustable support and protective display container for articles in which such articles may be conveniently installed in the container or removed therefrom without the use of tools and in which the position of the article within the container may be conveniently adjusted.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an adjustable support and protective display container for articles which may be a little larger than such articles and which thereby occupies little room and at the same time presents a highly pleasing appearance.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of an adjustable support and protective display container for articles constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the support and display container shown in Fi g. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the support and container of this invention; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown an adjustable support and protective display container for articles constructed in accordance with this invention and which may well comprise a ring-shaped body which may be formed of wood, plastic, metal,

or any other suitable material, and finished in any desired manner in order to present a pleasing appearance. The ring-shaped body 10 has a relatively large opening extending therethrough to provide a space 11 within the same for receiving an article to be displayed. The body 10 may be supported on a base 12 which, as shown, is spherical in shape but which may, of course, be of any other desired configuration. Fixed to the base 12 and extending therefrom are legs 13 which may be angularly disposed with respect to each other and extend downwardly and outwardly to provide a tripod for supporting the base 12 and body 10. The outer ends of the legs 13 may be provided with balls 14 of a contrasting material to provide a decorative effect and also to prevent marring or disfigurement of a surface upon which the container of this invention may be supported.

The body 10 is provided on one side thereof with an inwardly extending annular flange 15 and disposed with in the body 10 and in engagement with the flange 15 is a concave convex transparent disc 16 which may be formed of glass, plastic or other suitable material. The disc 16 is retained in position in engagement with the flange 15 by a snap-ring 17 received in an annular groove 18 in the body 10 and engaging the inner surface of the disc 16. It is to be noted that the disc 16 is positioned in the body 10 with the convex surface thereof facing outwardly in order to present a pleasing appearance and to increase the size of the space or cavity 11 for receiving the article to be displayed. If desired, of course, the disc 16 may be in the form of a lens in order that the article displayed in the container 10 will be suitably magnified.

In order to suitably support an article, such as, a watch, medal, other article of jewelry, or an heirloom, in the body 10, there may be provided a transversely disposed slot 19 in the body 10 located diametrically opposite the base 12 and extending through the slot 19 is an elongated threaded rod 29 which is provided on the inner end there of with a hook 21 which serves to suspend the article to be displayed in the space or cavity 11 within the body It). If desired, of course, a suspending means having a configuration other than the hook 21 may be provided on the rod 20. Threadedly received on the inner portion of the rod 20 is a-nut 22 which engages the inner surface of the body 10 and threadedly engaged with the outer end of the rod 20 is an elongated ornamental knob 23 which is provided with an elongated threaded bore 24 of sutiicient length to permit axial adjustment of the rod 20 inwardly and outwardly in a radial direction of the body 10 in order to properly position an article suspended from the hook 21 in the cavity or space 11. In adjusting the rod 20, it is, of course, necessary to manipulate both the nut 22 and the knob 23 and in such manner the position of the hook 21 is adjusted and securely clamped into position by engagement of the nut 22 and the knob 23 with the inner and outer surfaces of the body 10. Likewise, the rod 20 and hook 21 may be adjusted axially of the body 10 by sliding the rod 20 in the slot 19 and in such manner the object or article suspended in the space or cavity 11 may be positioned within such cavity regardless of the thickness of the article.

In order to close the space or cavity 11 in the body 10 and protect an article suspended therein from dust or other injurious substances, there is provided in the rear side of the body 10 an annular recess 25 which serves to tightly receive a closure disc 26 which may be formed of the same material as the body 10. In order to releasably hold the closure disc 26 in the annular recess 25, there is provided a resilient clip 27 having a slot 28 therein received over the rod 20 between the knob 23 and the peripheral surface of the body 10. The clip 27 is thereby securely clamped into position on the body 10. The clip 27 is provided with a radially or inwardly extending angularly disposed portion 29 which engages the: exterior surface of the closure disc 26 and releasably holds the same in position in the annular recess 25. In order to facilitate removal'of the closure disc 27 and replacement thereof, there may be provided a finger engaging member 30 of metal or other suitable material secured to theclosure disc 26 at a suitable location on the rear surface thereof. v

In order to identify the alticle displayed in the container of this invention, there may be provided a plate 31 secured to the front face of the body by suitable fastening means 32 and such plate 31 may be of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material and identifying indicia may be engraved or otherwise applied thereto. While the plate 31 is shown as located at the lower side of the body 10, obviously, the same may be positioned at any other suitable loaction on the body.

It will be obvious that by the above described invention, there has been provided a relatively simple and economically yet highly effective display container in which an article may be adjustably positioned in accordance with the size and configuration of such article by merely adjusting the rod radially of the body 10 and also axially thereof and in many instances, it will be desirable to so adjust the rod 20 that an article suspended in the space or cavity 11 is in contact with the inner surface of the closure disc 26 in order to prevent swinging or turning of such article. The container clearly provides a highly I in said recess by the angularly disposed portion of said decorative and ornamental device which provides a clear view of an article suspended therein and which container may be conveniently supported on a table or any other suitable support and which at the same time fully portects the article to be displayed from dust, other injurious substances, or from handling by spectators. The container of, this invention may be made in materials which will hamonize with the surroundings in which the same is to be used and the legs 13 or base 12 may be conveniently removed from the body 10 in order to permit convenient and compact packing of the device and thereafter reassembled by the purchaser without the necessity of using tools. The device may also be manufactured at a cost permitting sale in a highly competitive market.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a substantially spherical base secured to the periphery of said body, downwardly and outwardly extending angularly disposed legs fixed to said base and providing a tripod for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, an inwardly extending annular flange on one side of said body, a concave convex transparent disc disposed in said body in engagement with the inner surface of said flange and with the convex surface facing outwardly, an annular groove in the inner surface of said body, a snap ring disposed in said groove and engaging said disc to hold the same in place, a transversely disposed slot in the wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, a hook on the inner end of said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging. the inner surface of said body, a resilient clip having a slot therein received over said rod exteriorly of said body and having an angularly disposed portion extending downwardly and inwardly of the opposite side of said body, an elongated ornamental knob threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said hook, an annular recess in the opposite, of said body a closure disc removably secured clip and a finger engaging member on said closure disc to facilitate removal and replacement thereof.

2. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body, downwardly and outwardly extending angularly disposed legs fixed to said base and providing a tripod for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, an inwardly extending annular flange on one side of said body, a transparent disc disposed in said body in engagement with the inner surface of said flange, an annular groove in the inner surface of said body, a snap ring disposed in said groove and engaging said disc to hold the same in place, a transversely disposed slot in the wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, a hook on the inner end of said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging the inner surface of said body, a resilient clip having a slot therein received over said rod exteriorly of said body and having an angularly disposed portion extending downwardly and inwardly of the opposite side of said body, an elongated ornamental knob, threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said hook, an annular recess in the opposite side of said body, a closure disc removably secured in said recess by the angularly disposed portion of said clip and a finger engaging member on said closure disc to facilitate removal and replacement thereof.

3. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body, legs fixed to said base for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, an inwardly extending annular flange on one side of said body, a transparent disc disposed in said body in engagement with the inner surface of said flange, an annular groove in the'inner surface of said body, a snap ring disposed in said groove and engaging said disc to hold the same in place, a transversely disposed slot in the wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, a hook on the inner end of said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging the inner surface of said body, a resilient clip having a slot therein received over said rod exteriorly of said body and having an angularly disposed portion extending downwardly and inwardly of the opposite side of said body, an elongated ornamental knob threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said hook, an annular recess in the opposite side of said body, a closure disc removably secured in said recess by the angularly disposed portion of said clip and a finger engaging member on said closure disc to facilitate removal and replacement thereof.

4. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body, legs fixed to said base for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, an inwardly extending annular flange on one side of said body, a transparent disc disposed in said body and in engagement with the inner surface of said flange, an annular groove in the inner surface of said body, a snap ring disposed in said groove and engaging said disc to hold the same in place, a transversely disposed slot in the wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, a hook on the inner end of said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging the inner surface of said body, a resilient clip having a slot therein received over said rod exteriorly of said body and having an angularly disposed portion eX- tending downwardly and inwardly of the opposite side of said body, an ornamental knob threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said hook, an annular recess in the opposite side of said body and a closure disc removably secured in said recess by the angularly disposed portion of said clip.

5. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body, legs fixed to said base for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, an inwardly extending annular flange on one side of said body, a transparent disc disposed in said body in engagement with the inner surface of said flange, means to hold said disc in place, a transversely disposed slot in the wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, a hook on the inner end of said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging the inner surface of said body, a resilient clip having a slot therein received over said rod exteriorly of said body and having an angularly disposed portion extending downwardly and inwardly of the opposite side of said body, an ornamental knob threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said hook, an annular recess in the opposite side of said body and a closure disc removably secured in said recess by the angularly disposed portion of said clip.

6. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, an inwardly extending annular flange on one side of said body, a transparent disc disposed in said body in engagement with the inner surface of said flange, means to hold said disc in place, a transversely disposed slot in the wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, means on said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging the inner surface of said body, a resilient clip having a slot therein received over said rod exteriorly of said body and having an angularly disposed portion extending downwardly and inwardly of the opposite side of said body, an ornamental knob threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said rod,

an annular recess in the opposite side of said body and a closure disc removably secured in said recess by the angularly disposed portion of said clip.

7. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, an inwardly extending annular flange on one side of said body, a transparent disc disposed in said body in engagement with the inner surface of said flange, means to hold said disc in place, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, means on said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging the inner surface of said body, an ornamental knob threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said rod and a closure disc removably secured on the opposite side of said body.

8. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, a transparent disc disposed in said body adjacent one side thereof, a transversely disposed slot in the wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a threaded rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, means on said rod for suspending an article within said body, a nut threadedly received on said rod and engaging the inner surface of said body, an ornamental knob threadedly received on said rod exteriorly of said body and cooperating with said nut to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said rod and a closure disc removably secured on the opposite side of said body.

9. A support and display container of the character described comprising a ring-shaped body, a base secured to the periphery of said body for supporting said body in an upright edgewise position, a transparent disc disposed in said body adjacent one side thereof, a transversely disposed slot in the Wall of said body diametrically opposite said base, a rod disposed in said slot and extending into said body, means on said rod for suspending an article within said body, means to adjustably secure said rod in said slot to permit adjustment of said rod radially and axially of said body to adjustably position an article suspended from said rod and a closure disc removably secured on the opposite side of said body.

Haden Sept. 19, 1911 Roan Nov. 28, 1916 

